Brain's Glial Cells Spark Seizures

When neurons fire together uncontrollably, epileptic seizures ensue. Yet what sparks the cells to go haywire in the first place? In January scientists found an unexpected answer. When glial cells in the cortex of fruit flies cannot properly control their calcium levels, they leave neighboring neurons vulnerable to seizures.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology identified a genetic mutation that causes fruit flies to seize when they are exposed to heat or vibration. On studying the mutation, they found that it affects a gene called zydeco that controls calcium exchange inside glial cells—a surprise considering that most research about seizures has focused on neurons. And logically so: neurons fire electrical impulses, whereas most glial cells do not. “It threw us for a loop at first,” explains lead author and M.I.T. graduate student Jan Melom.

The mutation identified in the study prevents tiny calcium fluctuations from occurring in glia, which Melom believes results in a buildup of calcium inside the cells. Because stress such as heat usually further boosts calcium levels, the combination could trigger “some sort of glial reaction that spirals into a seizure,” she says. One major question is how the glia communicate with neurons, prodding them to overexcite. Because a version of zydeco exists in mammals, the answer could help explain the genesis of epileptic seizures in humans, too.

Glia Stats

Glia play many important roles in the brain, which include:

Regulating synapse development and function

Promoting neuron survival and protection after injury

Supporting learning and memory

Helping control blood flow

Regulating mood

Glia are also implicated in a range of illnesses and disorders, such as:

Epilepsy

Blood vessel deterioration

Major depression

Multiple sclerosis

Alzheimer's disease

This article was originally published with the title "Glia Spark Seizures" in SA Mind 24, 2, 16 (May 2013)

Scientific American is part of Springer Nature, which owns or has commercial relations with thousands of scientific publications (many of them can be found at www.springernature.com/us). Scientific American maintains a strict policy of editorial independence in reporting developments in science to our readers.